Tatiana Nabieva attempted a layout tkatchev+pak salto combination, but got a bit out of control on her swing. Tatiana is Round Lake's resident Bad Ass. She's butch, she has bangs, and swings with serious aggression. Girl is a beast.
Aliya Mustafina appeared somewhat slow and lethargic. This is likely due to the Russians training under their system of periodization. Meets like the Japan Cup are for experience and collecting prize money, rather than being in pristine form. Russia is coming together as a team and is the likely favorite for gold at Worlds.
Anna Dementyeva is the pretty one. Gifted with gorgeous lines, Anna is stunning to look at. She still has slight areas to clean up, but the girl is a photographer's dream. With some refinement and detail work (handstands on bars), she can become one of our favorites. Then again, should she biff at a major meet, her nickname will be none other than Anna Demented.
All in all, it appeared to be a relaxed weekend for the girls from Round Lake. Mustafina better do some serious cleaning up, or else she is dead to us.
Not just a layout tkachev, a layout Ray.
ReplyDeleteF**king hell, that has to be a G.
Mustafina and Nabieva seem to be quite studiously ignoring Dementyeva, a hazing ritual? They're friendly enough with each other and with Afanasyeva.
Louisa
Nabieva needs to learn how NOT to completely throw away an exercise after a mistake. That floor was AWFUL. She looked not only like she was just going through the motions but also like she didn't know what the motions were supposed to be after her first pas. Big fail.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise, let's talk about how happy I'm going to be if/when Russia kicks the USA's ass at Worlds. And dear G-d, I'll even take Nabieva as world AA champ over a title for Bross...